HD Hyundai is developing an AI-based hull management system designed to automate vessel hull maintenance, covering underwater inspection, cleaning and post-service performance verification.
The company signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, HD Hyundai Robotics, HD Hyundai Marine Solution, Avikus, KCC, and TAS Global to jointly develop and commercialize a Total Hull Care Solution.
The planned system will diagnose hull conditions in real time and recommend maintenance measures through an integrated management platform. The partners will also develop AI-powered underwater robot inspection technologies, hull condition monitoring systems and fuel-efficiency optimization using ship operating data.
HD Hyundai will lead the development of automated maintenance technologies, including hull inspection, condition assessment, cleaning and post-service verification through underwater robots.
A company official said the project is the industry’s first effort to combine shipbuilding, marine coating and robotics technologies into a single hull care solution. The official added that the initiative is expected to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions while supporting a new business model in the vessel maintenance market.
